浮生六記
Six Records of a Floating Life
A Historic Literary Discovery
After more than a century of searching, the complete manuscript of Shen Fu's masterpiece has been found. The two long-lost records—Records of Zhongshan (中山記歷) and On Nourishing Life (養生記道)—are now available to the world.
Discovered and presented by Dr. Lawrence K. Wang (王抗曝)
Lenox Institute Press, Massachusetts, USA
January 29, 2026
The Discovery
Since its rediscovery in the late Qing dynasty, Six Records of a Floating Life (浮生六記) has captivated readers with its intimate portrayal of 18th-century life and the tender love story between Shen Fu and his wife Chen Yun. Yet scholars and readers alike mourned the loss of two records: the fifth and sixth volumes.
The fifth record, "Records of Zhongshan" (中山記歷), documents Shen Fu's extraordinary journey to the Ryukyu Kingdom (present-day Okinawa) in 1799 as part of a Qing diplomatic mission. It offers invaluable firsthand accounts of maritime travel, diplomatic relations, and the customs of Ryukyu during the late 18th century.
The sixth record, "On Nourishing Life" (養生記道), reveals Shen Fu's philosophical journey after Chen Yun's death. Drawing deeply from Daoist thought and the Zhuangzi, this record explores his path toward spiritual solace, self-cultivation, and inner peace—a profound meditation on grief, acceptance, and the art of living.
The Complete Six Records
A complete life journey, from wedded bliss to philosophical transcendence
闺房记乐
Wedded Bliss
The intimate joys of married life with Chen Yun, celebrating their intellectual companionship and shared aesthetic pursuits.
闲情记趣
Pleasures of Leisure
Finding beauty in everyday moments—flower arranging, garden design, and the art of living with refined taste.
坎坷记愁
Sorrows of Misfortune
The heartbreaking account of family conflicts, financial hardship, and the devastating loss of Chen Yun.
浪游记快
Delights of Roaming
Travels through the scenic landscapes of Southern China, seeking solace in nature's beauty.
中山记历
Records of Zhongshan
The newly discovered account of Shen Fu's diplomatic mission to Ryukyu Kingdom in 1799.
养生记道
On Nourishing Life
The newly discovered philosophical reflections on Daoist cultivation, meditation, and finding peace after loss.
Literary & Historical Significance
This discovery represents one of the most important findings in Chinese literary history in over a century. The complete Six Records not only fills a crucial gap in our understanding of Shen Fu's life and thought but also provides unprecedented historical documentation of Qing dynasty diplomacy and Daoist philosophy.
Complete Literary Portrait
For the first time, readers can experience Shen Fu's complete life narrative, from youthful love to mature philosophical reflection.
Historical Documentation
The Zhongshan record provides rare firsthand accounts of Qing-Ryukyu relations, maritime navigation, and 18th-century East Asian diplomacy.
Philosophical Depth
The final record offers profound insights into Daoist self-cultivation practices and the literati's approach to grief and transcendence.
Download Preface
Learn about this historic discovery. For complete manuscripts, contact Dr. Wang directly.
繁體中文版
Traditional Chinese
Preface explaining the significance of discovering the complete Six Records.
File size: ~5 KB
简体中文版
Simplified Chinese
Preface explaining the significance of discovering the complete Six Records.
File size: ~5 KB
English Edition
英文版
Preface explaining the significance of discovering the complete Six Records.
File size: ~6 KB
The preface is provided free of charge for educational and research purposes. To request the complete manuscripts, please see the contact information below.
Request Complete Edition
To obtain the complete Six Records of a Floating Life (all six volumes) or only the newly discovered Record 5: Records of Zhongshan (中山記歷) and Record 6: On Nourishing Life (養生記道), please contact Dr. Wang directly:
Dr. Wang welcomes inquiries from scholars, researchers, translators, and literature enthusiasts worldwide. Please specify in your email whether you are requesting the complete six volumes or only Records 5 and 6.